Metabolic

Cagrilintide

Acylated peptide · Long-acting amylin analogue · Synthetic

FDA · PHASE 3 TRIALS

Half-life

~7 days

Very long

minsdays

Route

SubQ injection

Evidence

Clinical trial data

Risk

Standard

Overview

Known for

Long-acting amylin analogue. Reduces appetite through a different pathway than GLP-1 agonists. Being developed as part of CagriSema (cagrilintide + semaglutide) which showed ~25% weight loss in trials.

Mechanism

Long-acting amylin analog — mimics pancreatic hormone that reduces appetite and slows gastric emptying via brainstem satiety centres

Key facts

Format
Lyophilized powder
Mechanism targets
Classification
Active
Supply & nature
ExogenousExogenous
FDA category
Phase 3 trials

Evidence & standing

Evidence base
Clinical trial data
Risk level
Standard
Clinical phase
Phase 2
Best studies
3 references
  • Lau DCW et al. (2021) Phase 2. Lancet 397:2486-96. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00845-X
  • Studied as standalone and in combination with semaglutide (CagriSema)
  • NOT YET FDA APPROVED

Dosage & protocol

Typical dose
0.5mg
Research range
0.5–2.4 mg
Cycle
Weekly injection
Onset
21 days first effects
Full effect
140 days
Half-life
~7d
~7 days (long-acting amylin analog)
Protocol

0.5mg → 1mg → 2mg → 4mg weekly SubQ. Titrate every 4 weeks.

Time to effects

EARLY: 2-4 weeks

FULL: 16-24 weeks

As a standalone (without semaglutide), appetite suppression noticeable within 2-4 weeks. Weight loss is more modest than GLP-1 agonists alone.

The real value is in the CagriSema combination. Standalone cagrilintide showed ~10-11% weight loss at 32 weeks in trials.

Minimum commitment: 12 weeks.

Recommended vial
  • 5mg vials

At 1-2mg/wk, 5mg lasts 2.5-5 weeks ✓. 10mg risks exceeding shelf life at lower titration doses.

Reference figures only

Dosing reflects published laboratory protocols and is not guidance for use in any living subject.

Safety

Reversibility
Unknown
Side effects

Nausea (18-25%), injection site reactions (6%), diarrhoea, headache

Interactions

Insulin (may ↑hypoglycaemia). May slow absorption of oral meds. Avoid with pramlintide.

Do not combine
Cagrilintide 5mg + Semaglutide 5mg (Blend)Cagrilintide 5mg + Semaglutide 5mg (Blend) RetatrutideRetatrutide SemaglutideSemaglutide SurvodutideSurvodutide TirzepatideTirzepatide

Handle with research caution

  • Do NOT combine with other amylin analogues
  • CAN combine with Semaglutide (this is CagriSema — the intended pairing)
  • Do NOT combine with Tirzepatide or Retatrutide alongside CagriSema

Storage & handling

Lyophilised
12–24 months
2–8°C
Reconstituted
4–6 weeks
2–8°C

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